The evergreen partnership between beverage giants Banks DIH and the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) yesterday bore fruit to the 5th edition of their knock-out Football tournament, set to kick off on Sunday.The tournament, which will see the winner taking home a handsome purse of $2M and a trophy, will be played at four venues across Guyana (No.5 Village, Berbice; GFC ground; Guyana Defence Force Ground; and Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary).

The runners-up will take home $1M and a trophy while the 3rd and 4th place teams will cart off $500,000 and $250,000 respectively.

According to Vice-President of the GFA Frank Parris, the 16-team tournament will feature four Berbice units in Rosginol United, Hope FC, New Amsterdam United and Cougars.

The Georgetown sides are the Western Tigers, Sunburst Camptown, Northern Rangers, Blackwater FC, Guyana Police Force, Eastville FC, Santos, Blackpearl, Beacon, Flamingo, Riddim Squad and Houston Stars.

Parris added that though the tournament will allow three guest players, the GFA will not accept any player that was on any of the recently concluded Stag Elite League team lists.

President of the GFA Clifton Hicken in a brief comment during Thursday’s launch said, “We need to maintain this partnership if we are to grow football in our country,” adding that they are keen on developing the sport from the grass root.

Banks Beer Brand Manager Brian Choo-Hen contended, “We look forward to getting the support from the football fans once again for this tournament.”

Western Tigers will take on Hope FC from 18:00 hrs while Sunburst Campton lock horns with Northern Rangers from 21:00 hrs on Sunday at the Police Sports Club Ground at Eve Leary. A march past ceremony is planned for 20:00 hrs.

The final of the tournament will be played on New Year’s Day with the National Stadium Providence being touted as the venue.

In the last edition of the tournament, Alpha United defeated the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) 3-1, thanks to a double from Gregory Richardson and a lone strike from Dwight Peters, while Pele FC stopped Western Tigers 1 – 0 for 3rd place.

By Stephan Sookram